A federal judge revoked former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik's $500,000 bail Tuesday after he disclosed confidential trial information to the trustee of his legal defense fund.
U.S. District Judge Stephen Robinson did not believe that Kerik hired the trustee as an attorney in his corruption trial. The trustee went on to share the information with the Washington Times, which did not publish the details, the Associated Press reported.
Judge Robinson maintained Kerik needed to remain in jail so he wouldn't "influence witnesses or prospective jurors."
Kerik pleaded not guilty to charges that he accepted apartment rennovations from a construction company in exchange for recommending the firm for city contracts. His trial is set to begin Monday.
"My fear is that he has a toxic combination of self-minded focus and arrogance, and I fear that combination leads him to believe that his ends justify his means," Robinson said in an interview with the AP. "The failure of Mr. Kerik to abide by the direct order of this court ... must be appropriately addressed."
President George W. Bush nominated Kerik for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security following his leadership as commissioner after 9/11 but Kerik withdrew when allegations of corruption surfaced.
After his trial, Kerik faces a second trial over tax fraud and a third over claims he lied to the Bush White House during the vetting process for the Homeland Security nomination.
Kerik's actions during this trial showed disregard for the court, according to Robinson.
"Mr. Kerik sees himself as a victim of circumstance ... I think he needs to refocus," Robinson said.
